Mechanism for assembling match strips



Feb. 28, 1928.

J. C. DONNELLY MECHANISM FOR ASSEMBLING MATCH STRIPS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed J Gum Feb. 28, T928.

J. C. DQNNELLY MECHANISM FOR ASSEMBLING MATCH STRIPS 5 Sheets-Shed: 2

Filed Jan. 26. 1927 Feb. 28, 1928. 1,660,324

' J. c. DONNELLY MECHANISM FOR ASSEMBLING MATCH STRIPS 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 28, 1928. I

J. C. DCNNELLY MECHANISM FOR ASSEMBLING MATCH STRIPS Y nom Hm hub Feb. 28, 1928. 1,666,324

J. c. DONNEILLY I MECHANISM FOR ASSEMBLING MATCH STRIPS F an. 26. 1'92? 5 Sheets-r5110 5 J05 6507 U beaJ/ yisflfiknmeq Patented Feb. 28, 1928.

units!) STATES ATENT OFFICE,

JOSEPH G. DONNELLY, OF BARBERTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE DIAMOND MATCH COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

MECHANISM Fon'AssEMBLING MATCH STRIPS.

Application filed January 26, 1927. Serial a0. 163,608.

This invention relates to mechanism for assembling match strips, having reference more especially to mechanism for intercepting strips of matches as they are discharged from a match making machine and arrange ing them in an orderly manner, with the strips alternatelyreversed as respects the heads of the matches, which strips are'intended to be subdividedinto sections of proper size for use in the manufacture of match books. 1

In the preferred embodiment of my invention herein illustrated the match strips are ejected in succeeding pairs from a match making machine and the paired strips are alternately reversed and assembled in such manner as to facilitate their introduction in a suitable holder for subsequent transference to the match-Strip supply magazine, for example, of amachine for making match-books.

My invention generally stated, comprises transfer mechanism, including a succession of holders which receive the successive match strips, or pairs of strips, as they are removed from the source of match supply and deliver them with the alternate strips or pairs of strips reversed as respects their heads; means for ensuring the orderly arrangement of the match strips in the said holders; means for uniformly ejecting the match strips from the successive holders; and take off means for receiving the e ected match strips and supporting them in assembled re' lation.

The invention also comprises novel features of. construction and combinations of parts, all of which. will behereinafter described, and the scope of the invention then be defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly in section, of match-strip assembling mechanism embodying a'preferred form ofmy invention, showing its relation to the discharge station of a match making machine.

2 is a transverse vertical section of said mechanism, as on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section, partly in elevation, of the same.

Fig. 4: is a transverse vertical section, as on the line i4 of Fig. 3.

. ends.

Fig. 5 is a partial horizontal section, as on the line 55 of. Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a skeleton perspective illustrating the take-off me'chanis'm and adjuncts.

Fig. 7 is a perspective of one oft-he rotatable match-strip holders- Referring to the drawings, 10 designates a portion of the travelling endless carrier of a machine for making match strips; and 11' the punch head for ejecting the dependingmatch strips, 12 insuccesive pairs from the carrier at the discharge station of the machine. At this station the longitudinal side links 13 of the carrier are guided in parallel trackwavs 14 on the supporting.

frame'structure 15, which links are formed,.

the holders and deposited in upright posi tion 'upon suitable underlying [assembling and take-off mechanism hereinafter described. The alternate holders, 20, are independently turned through an arc of 180 in a period of their travel betweenthe re ceiving and the ejecting point, thereby reversing the positionsof the, heads of the strips contained in said holders, 20, in relation to the heads of the strips in the adjacent holders 19. b

The strip receiving andpositioning mechanism herein illustrated is of thefollowing construction: 24: designates two spaced-apart cylindrical sections headed at their outer Through thesesections centrally extends a transverse-shaft 25 which is journaled in suitable bearings 26 projecting from the heads 27 of the respective sections, which bearings. are. bolted to the main supporting frame of the machine, On one end of the shaft 25 is fixed agear 28 in mesh with a .gear 29 on the shaft 17 whereby during the rotation of the latter shaft motion is transmitted to the shaft 25. i

The sections 24 are arranged with their upper portions in proximity to the path of the heads of the match strips dependingadjacent its periphery, a series of segmental projections 32, which are so formed and spaced apart as to aiford a series of radial slots constituting the holders 19, and also to present a series of substantially circular recesses 33, which slotsand receses are open at the inner and outer peripheral edges of the projections and are arranged in alternation and in equally spaced relation. The

corresponding slots and recesses of the respective turrets are in horizontal alignment with each other, and they are so. diametrically disposed that when, in the rotation of the turrets, a pair of complementary slots or recesses are positioned at the top of the easing sections two adjacent match strips are ejected from the carrier by the punch head 11.

Rotatable in each of the recesses '33 are a pair of spaced-apart oppositely curved wings 34 constituting an open holder 20, flared at its respective ends, which wings project from a head 35 formed on or secured to one end of a central stud 36 journaled in a bearing 37 at the peripheral portion of the turret. Fast on the opposite end of the stud 36 is a pinion 38 havin a boss or hub 39 formed with oppositely-disposed arcuate recesses 40 which co-operate alternately with the peripheral portion. 41 of a stationary annular plate 42, in a manner to lock the head 35, with one end of its holders in vertical position, when the holder is located at the top of the turret, and to lock the holder in an inverted position when it is located at the bottom of the turret. The periphery of the plate 42, which is fastened to the adjacent end head 27-, is interrupted by an arcuate offset portion 43 in the path? of travel of the hub 39 from the upper to the lower level, and hence when such hub reaches and traverses this offset portion, the holder 20, is unlocked Stationary sectors 44 ,underliethe respect tiveholders 19,20 located at the top of the turrets and extend thence to a point adjacent the complemental holders which are positioned at the bottom of the turrets, said Seetors, in conjunction with the adjacent cylin drical walls of the sections 24, thus maintaining the match strips seated within the respective holders until the strips have been advanced by theturrets from the upper receiving to the lower discharging level. The casing sections 24 are suitably recessed at 45 to permit the descent of the match strips therefrom at the lower level. v j

The sectors 44 have hubs 46 which are fixed ly secured to spaced-apart split hubs 47 freely encircling the shaft 25, which latter hubs are fast on a pair of horizontal bars 43 that extend outwardly beyond the casingsections 24 and are fixedly secured, as at 49, to the inner peripheral edges of the respective sections. In the present instance, the ratio of the co acting gears 29, 23-on the'shafts 17 and 25 is such that the peripheral. speed of the turrets 31 slightly. exceeds the surface speed of the carrier 10, and therefore the punch-head 11 is timed to start the discharge of the strips from the carrier into each succeeding holder (19 or 20) before the holder reaches its upper central position, which holder passes such position before the strips are fully discharged into the holder.

The preferred means for actuating the rotatable holders 20 is as follows: Fast on the inner face oftheplate 42 is a gear segment 50 with whichmeshes the pinion 38 of each rotary holder 20 during the'unlocked interval of travel of the latter, said pinion,

together with the holder, thus being independently turned on its axis. the pinion and segment is such that the holder20 is rotated through an arc of 180, thus reversing the contained match strips with respect to the strips contained in the ad jaccnt holders 19. hen the pinion escapes the gear segment the inner arcuate recess 40 of the hub 39 engages the locking periphery of the plate 42 and remains in engagement therewith until the hub again reaches the offset portion 43 of the plate and the pinion re-engages the gear segment; and so on.

As the match strips contained in the suc- The ratio of i cessive holders reach thelowermost or discharging position, the strips are positively ejected from the holders. Preferably the strip ejecting means comprises a series of strips. These arms project from a sleeve 52 looselyjmountcd on a'stud-shaft 53 supported by a bracket 54 in one of the'casing sections, which sleeve has a gear 55 thereon in mesh with a gear 56 faston the inner end of a lower horizontal shaft 57 extending to.

one side of the machine. The shaft 57 which has its bearlngs 1n suitably-disposed brackets 58, is equipped at its outer end with a pinion ice 59 in mesh with the gear 28 on the shaft 25, and hence during the rotation of the gear 28 rotary motion is transmitted to the sleeve and is arm 51.

In order to maintain each pair of match strips in close lateral relation when they are presented to the action of the beater arms,

thus insuring their uniform ejection from the holder, I preferably pivot, as at 60, to the webs of the respective sectors 44 a pair of pendant gravity arms 61, the free ends of which are weighted, as at 62, and arranged in the-path of the strips as the latter approach the point of discharge from thev holders. The progressing paired strips bear against the opposing weighted ends of the' arms 61 and the latter press the strips together and yield therewith until the strips have been ejected by the heaters, whereupon the arms swing backward into the path of the next succeeding pair of strps, and so on.

As a simple and efficient means to straighten any irregularly disposed match strips in the fast on a rock-shaft 64 having its hearings in lugs 65 on the respective casing sections. One end of the shaft 6d extends outwardly and is provided with a depending crank arm 66 which is connected by means of a link 67 with an eccentric wrist pin 68 ,on a pinion 69 fast on a lower shaft 70 having its'bearing in a bracket 7l-on the adjacent casing section. The pinion 69 meshes witha gear 72 on the shaft 57 and hence during the rotation of such ear the inion 69 isrotated, thus effecting, through the described link and crank connection, the rapid vibration of the evener plates 63 in respecttothe opposing match strips The assembling and take-offmechanism preferablycomprises a pair of spaced-apart belts 21 underlying the turrets and passing about suitably-disposed pulleys, one pair of which are mounted on a shaft 22 continuously driven from a suitable source. upper horizontal runs of the belts are supported on. parallel bars 23, and are arranged to receive and advance the vertically-disposed stripsdischarged from the succeeding holders. Upstanding side plates 21" are secured to the respective bars'in the vicinity of the delivery station so as to support and guide the match strips in upright position, a weight 22' loosely imposed on the belt and movable between the side-plates servingas The a back stop for the strips, which stop coacts with yielding stops 23 on the inner side of one of the plates to hold the match strips in upright position. The stops 23 are preferably composed of thin strips of spring metal let into a groove in the inner side of the adjacent plate and each attached atits forward end to the plate, so that there will be no liability of the opposingends of the strips, as they are advanced, catching on the fixed ends of the springs. (See Figs. 4 and 6.)

In order positively to advance the strips between the side plates, as rapidly as they are positioned on the belts, and ensure'the close relation of the assembled strips, Iprovide a horizontally-reciproeative pusher 73' which extends transversely of the belts .and

acts uniformly against the opposing strips. In the present instance, this pusher comprises an angular bar fast on a carriage comprising a body 74 having flanged wheels 75 mounted to run on parallel rails 76 supported between the belts. The body'74 is formed on an arm 77 pivoted, as at 78, to the lower end of a depending rock-arm 79, which arm, in turn, is pivoted to and between the statio'nary'bars 48, hereinbefore referred to. (See Fig. 6.) I On the rockarm is a laterally projecting stud '80 having a crank-arm 81 which is pivoted to an 'ec centric pin 82 on a head 83 at the inner end of the shaft 70, Wherebyduring the rotation of saidshaft the rock-arm is actuated in a manner to effect thehoriz'ontal reciprocation of the carriage and the pusher in timed relation to the operation of th'e'beater arms.

It is to be understood that my mvention is not limited to the particular construction or mechanism herein disclosed, as the'same may be modified within the principle of the invention and 6 claims.

I claim- I 1. The combination with means for supplying match strips, of a movable structure mounted adjacent thereto including a suethe scope of the appended ee'ssion of relatively-fixed andindependent- 'ly-movable strip holders arranged in alternation, means for actuating said structure to locate the holders thereof successively in strip receiving position and advance them to a remote delivery location where the 1 strips are discharged in'a substantially vertical plane, means for independently moving the alternate holders to effect the reversalof the headed ends of their contained strips during the travel of the holders toward the delivery location, and a take-off element underlying the delivery locationv and adapted to receive the successively discharged strips and support them, in assembled relation.

2. The combination'with' means for supplying match strips,-of a movable structure mounted. adjacentthereto including a succession of'relatively fixed and independently rotatable strip holders arranged in alternation, means for actuating said structure to locate the holders thereof successively in strip receiving position and advance them to a remote delivery location where the strips are discharged in a substantially vertical plane, means for independently moving the alter'nateholders to ei'lect the reversal of the headed ends of their contained strips during the travel of the holders toward the delivery location, and a take-cit element in cluding a travelling conveyor underlying the deliverylocation and adapted to receive the successively discharged strips and support them in assembled relation.

3. The combination with means for sup,- plying match strips, of a turret. structure mounted adjacent thereto including a succession of relatively fixed strip holders, a series of-independently rotatable holders alternatingwith said fixed holders, means for rotating said turret structure to locate the said holders successively in strip receiving position and advance them to the delivery location where the strips'are discharged in a substantially vertical plane, means for independently actuating the "rotatable holders to effect the reversal of the headed ends of the strips contained in the latter holders during their travel toward the delivery location, and a take-oft element underlying the delivery location and adapted to receive the successively discharged strips and support them in assembled relation.

4. The combination with means for supplying match strips, of a turret structure mounted adjacent thereto including a succession of relatively fixed strip holders, a series of independently rotatable strip holders alternating with said '[ixed holders, means for rotating said turretstructure to locate the said holders successively in strip receiving position and advance them to a remote delivery location where the strips are discharged 111 a substantially vertical plane, means for independently actuating the rotatableholders to effect the reversal of, the headed ends of the strips contained. in,

the latter holders during their travel toward the delivery location, and a take-off element includinga travelling conveyor underlying the delivery location and adapted to receive the successively dischargedstrips and support them in assembled relation.

5. Thecombinationwith means for supplying match strips, of a turret structure mounted adjacent thereto including a succession of relatively fixed strip holders, a

series of independently rotatable holders alternating with said fixed holdcrs,means for rotating said turret structure to locate the said holders successively'in strip receiving position and advance them to a remote delivery location where the strips are discharged in a substantially vertical plane, gearing for independentlyactuating the rotatable holdersto effect the reversal of the headed ends of the strips contained in the latter holders during their travel toward the delivery vlocation, means for temporarily locking the rotatable holders in their respective positions,'and a take-oil element underlying the delivery location and adapted to receive the successively discharged strips and support them in assembled relation.

6; The combination with means for supplying match strips, of a turrent structure mounted adjacent thereto'including a succession of relatively fixed strip holders, a series of independently rotatableholders alternating with said fixed holders, means for rotating said turret structureto locate the said holders successively in strip receiving position and advance them to a remote delivery location where the strips are discharged in assabstantially vertical plane,

gearing tor independently actuating therotatable holders to effect the reversal of the headed'ends of the. strips contained in the latter holders during their travel toward the delivery llocation, means for ten'iporarily locking the rotatable holders in their respective positions, and a take-oil element in cluding a traveling conveyor underlying the deliverylocation and adapted to receive the strips are discharged in a substantially ver-' tical plane, means for independently moving the alternate holders tofetfect' the reversal of the headed ends of their contained strips during the travelot the holders toward the delivery location, yielding means at the said location for retaining the strips 111 each succeeding holder, means for l'orcibly e ecting the strips from theholders, and a supporting and assembling element for the ejected strips. j e

8. The combination With means for supplyingmatchstrips, 01": a movable structure mounted adjacent thereto including aisuccession of relatively-fixed and independently movable strip receiving holders arranged in alternation, meansvfor actuatingsaid structure to locate the holders thereof successively in strip receiving position and advance them to'a remote delivery location where the-strips are discharged :in a substantially vertical plane, means for independently movingthe alternate holders to effect the reversal of the headed ends of their contained strips during the travel of the holders toward the plying match strips,of a movable structure mounted adjacent thereto including a succession of relatively-fixed'and independently movable strip receiving holders arranged in alternation, means for actuating said struc- .ture to locate the holders thereotsuccessively in strip receiving position and ad- Vance them to a remote delivery location where the strips are discharged in a substantially vertical plane, means for independently moving thealternate holders to effect the reversal of the headed ends of their. contained strips during the travel of the holders toward the delivery location, yielding means at the said location for retaining the strips in each succeeding holder, rotatable beater members for ejecting the strips from the successive holders, means for rotating said members, and a supporting and assembling element for the strips ejected from the holders. v

10. The combination with means for sup plying match strips, of a movable structure mounted adjacent thereto including a succession of relatively-fixed and, independently-movable strip holders'arranged in alternation, means for actuating said structure to locate the holders thereof successively in strip receiving position and advance them to a remote delivery location where the strips are discharged in a substantially vertical plane, means for straightening the strips in the successive holders, means for independently moving the alternate holders to eifect thereversal' of the headed ends of their contained stripsduring the travel of the holders toward thedelivery location, and a supporting and assembling element to which the strips are delivered by the holders.

11. The combination with means for supporting match strips, of a movable structure mounted adjacent thereto including a succession of relatively-fixed and independently-movable strip holders arranged in alternation, means for actuating said structure to locate the holders thereof successively in strip receiving position and advance them to a remote delivery location Where the strips are discharged in a substantially ver tical plane, means for straightening the strips in the successive holders, said straightening means comprising a vibratory member which impinges against the outer portions of the strips contained in the holders and means for actuating said member, means for independently moving the alternate holders to ei'l'ect the reversal of the headed ends of their contained strips during the travel of the holders toward the said, delivery location, and a supporting and assembling element to which the strips are delivered by the holders. 1

12. The combination with meansitor supplyingv match strips, of a movable structure mounted adjacent thereto including a succession of relatively-fixedand independ- I ently-rotatable strip receiving holders arranged in alternation, means for actuating said structure to locate the holders thereof successively in strip receiving position and advance them to a remote location where. the strips are'delivered in asubstantially vertical plane, means tor independently moving the alternate holders to eiiect the reversal ofthe-headed ends oitheir contained strips during the travel of the holders toward the deliveryfllo ation, and a supporting and as sembiing element to which the strips are delivered by the holders, said element comprising a travelling conveyor, spaced side walls, a -movable back stop for the strips, a

pusher overlying the conveyor andoperative against the opposing strips deposited on the conveyor, andmeans for reciprocating said pusher.

18. The combination of a pair of spaced apart casing sections having inlet and outlet portions for the entry and discharge of match strips, turrets mounted .to rotate in said sections and having spaced-apart open radial slots constituting strip holders, indeholders mounted on the turrets in alteration with the first-named holders, means for rotating said turrets to present the successive holders to the said inlet and outlet portions of the casing sections, stationary members for supporting the inner portions of the strips during their travel in the-holders from the said inlet to the outlet port-ions, and means for independently actuating the alternate rotatable elements to effect the reversal of the headed ends of the strips contained in their holders during the travel of the latter toward the outlet portions. 7

14:. The combination of a pair of spacedapart casing sections having inlet and outlet portions, for the entry and discharge of match strips, turrets mounted to rotate in said sections and having spaced-apart open pendently-rotatable elements including open lit),

the strips during their travel in the holders from the said inlet to the outlet portions, gearing for independently actuating the r0- tatable elements to effect the reversal of the headed ends of the strips contained intheir holders during the travel of the latter toward the outlet portions, and means for temporarily locking the rotatable holders in their respective positions.

15. The combination-of a pair of spacedapart casing sections having inlet and outlet portions for the entry and discharge of match strips, turrets mounted to rotate in said sectionsand having spaced-apart open radial slots constituting strip holders, independently-rotatable elements including open holders mounted 011 the turrets in alteration with the first-named holders,

means for rotating said turrets to present the successive holders to thesaid inlet and outlet portions of the casing sections, stationary members for supporting theinner portions of the strips during their travel in the holders from the said inlet to the outlet portions, means for independently actuating the alternate rotatable elements to eifect the reversal of the headed ends of the strips contained in their holders during the travel of the latter toward the outlet portions,

yielding means located between the caslng sections and adjacent the outlet portions for tion with the first-named holders, means for rotating said turrets to present the succes- Y sive holdersjto the said inlet and outlet porbers for supporting the inner portions of the strips during their travel in the holders from the said inlet, to the outlet portions, means operative between the casing sections and rearward of the inlet portions for straightening the strips in the successive holders, and means for independently actuating the alternate rotatable elements to effeet the reversal of the headed ends of the strips contained in their holders during the travel of the latter toward the outlet portions.

Signed at Barberton, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio this 24th day of January A. D. 1927.

JOSEPH o. DONNELLY. i

tions of the casing sections, stationary mema 

